| Tocolytic agents may be used to delay delivery, and may also reduce risk of maternal bleeding if the fetus is preterm and has immature lungs, and if the maternal bleeding is mild. If delivery is indicated, either because of hemorrhage in the mother, or fetal distress, then a caesarean section should be performed. The exception to this rule is with a low-lying placenta, in which case a vaginal delivery may be performed.
Complications of placenta previa include severe hemorrhage, malpresentation or breech birth, intrauterine growth retardation, premature rupture of membranes and vasa previa, which refers to fetal vessels that overlie the os, increasing the risk of exsanguinating hemorrhage in the fetus. The incidence of death for the mother is 1%. [3] |